Thermostat.



H. E. REEVE.

THERMOSTAT.

APPLIOATION FILED JAN.1e, 1913.

1,1 1 1,236. Patented sept. 22, 1914.

WIT/VESSES 1HE Nore'rels PETERS co.. PHOro-LITHO.. WASHINGTON. u. c

HENRY E. REEVE, F NEW YORK, N. Y.

THERMOSTAT.

Specification. of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 22, 41914:.

i Application led January 16, 1913. Serial No. 742,336.

To all whom it may concern `Be it.A known that I, HENRY E.' Riinvii, ac itizen of the United States of America,

andf residing at New Yorl, in the county vof Kings and State of` New York, have in- 'ventedI new and' useful Improvements in Thermostats, of which the following is a-v specification.

My invention relates particularly to the mechanicalconstruction, insulation and arrangement ofthe parts of a thermostat suitable for usein fire alarni'and sprinkler sys tems. y v

The Object is to provide a simple and inexpensive construction and so far as possible to avoid the diiiiculties of short circuiting,

corrosion and mechanical injury.

VIiiffits `preferred form the invention contemplates a strong basev of a molded insulating-material of specialdesign which supports the circuit terminals and the thermoystat contacts and a vcover or shield. The terminalsare supported in position somewhat spaced `apart from the insulating .base to permit the circulation of air and increase spacing of live parts. A flange and a groove y'are formed at the'periphery of the base to `prevent moisture from running in.

The liange `is so shaped adjacent the terminals as to prevent water from dripping down on tothe terminals. The base has a central depending tapered boss having a curved wall so that any moisture condensing on the l under side will flow down toward the center .static elements. The shield or cover shown @is perforated and spaced apart from the base vtov allow a more perfect ventilation and is supported by posts which reinforce it. These posts preferably pass through the base and are anchored at the top in a recess in the base.

Figure l, is a side view of a thermostat embodying the improvements of my invention. Fig. 2, is a side View at right angles to that of Fig. l. Fig. 3, is aseparate view of the shield. Fig. 4, is a fragmentary sectional view showing the method of anchoring. the vshield tothe base. Fig. 5,

is a side view and partial section ofthe molded'insulating base. Fig. 6, is a view of the under side ofthe same. Fig. 7, is a fragmentarysection showing modifications of the base'and anchorage of a circuit terminal. Fig. 8, is a fragmentary section showing a thermostat members 3, 3 are of suitable design and suitably secured to the terminals 2, 2. The shield or cover tis preferably of cup shape to surround and protect the thermostat members and at the same time permit a free circulation of air.

Each circuit terminal is secured to the base by means of one or more studs l which are molded Vinto the base when the base is made. The terminals are riveted to the studs so as to effect a permanent connection and yet are spaced apart from the base to allow for the circulation of air.

The base is preferably provided with a peripheral `flange 6 which extends beyond the upper edge of the shield 4. Just inside of the iiangc 6 is a groove 7 for preventing water from running in. Over each circuit terminal as at` 8 I prefer to cut away the flange 6 or a part of it so as to form inclined edges and cause any water or moisture which collects above to run down the inclined edges and prevent water from dripping directly on the terminals.

yThe top is crowned or arched for drainage purposes. In the form shown in Fig. 7 the circuit terminal 2 is anchored in the base by a screw and nut 51 and the iange 6 is cut away at 8 over the arm of the circuit terminal.

Depending from the center of the under side of the base is a boss 9, the sidesof which are curved and inclined downward and toward the center so that any. moisture which vcondenses on the under side of the base will run downward toward the center and away from the terminals. A. vertical passage 10 is provided through the base and boss for the supporting screw or rod (not shown). This curved surface adjacent the thermostatic elements serves to deflect the air currents and afford better circulation and quicker action.

v A shield is provided with the central openingnll for the supporting screw and to permit moisture lfrom the boss 9 to drip out.

The sides and bottom of the shield are 'preferably perforated as at 12 and the upper edge is spaced away from the base as at 13 Vso to permit of free circulation of air and the consequent uniform and sensitive action of the thermostat parts. The shield is supported by means of a number of posts such as 14, each of which pass through slots 15 and 16 in the sides of the shield 4. The lower end of the post 14 is bent upward inside the shield at 17 to secure the post to the shield. The upper end of each post has a tongue 18 adapted to be passed through an opening 19 in the base. The upper surface of the base may be provided with a recess 20 into which the end of the tongue 18 may be bent as shown in Fig. 4 and which is adapted to receive a sealing material 21 if desired. These posts support the shield spaced apart from the base and reinforce the sides so that the shield may be made of thin and relatively inexpensive material without effecting the mechanical strength necessary for protecting the parts from physical injury.

In the form shownin Fig. 8 the post 14 has a tang 17 bent downward and inward to engage within the shield and the upper end has a perforation 22 or a 'recess 23 or both for the filling material 21 which thus locks the post in place.

It will be obvious that changes in details of construction may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of my invention and that certain of the features may be employed and others omitted.v It will further be understood that the terms employed in the claims are terms of description rather than of limitation except so far as required by the state of the prior art.

What I claim is 1. In a thermostat, an insulating base having a central boss extending downwardly and providing a wall for deflecting rising currents of air outwardly and laterally across the under surface of the base, a shield secured to the base, provided with an opening in the bottom thereof to permit currents of air to rise up past the boss and open at the sides to permit the currents of air to flow out laterally at the sides of the shield and thermostatic elements supported beneath the base withinthe shield, out of contact with the base and disposed in the path of the laterally deflected currents of air so as to'be influenced thereby.

2. In a thermostat, a molded insulating base having a central dependent boss integral therewith, a ventilated shield secured to the base and surrounding the dependent boss and curved thermostatic members mounted on the underside of the base and out rof contact therewith, the said curved thermostatic members being inclosed within the ventilated shield and passing around on opposite sides of the dependent boss.

3. In a thermostat, an insulating base having its under surface inclined downward and inward and merging into a central dependent boss, whereby moisture on said under surface will flow over the inclined surface on and down the said boss, thermostatic members supported beneaththe base and out of contact with the surface of the base, a shield carried by the base inclosin the thermostatic members and provided witg an opening in line with the boss to permit moisture collected on the boss to drip therei. through, and circuit terminals connected to the thermostatic members out of contact with the base and extending outside the shield.

4. In a thermostat, a molded insulatin base, circuit terminals anchored therein an projecting from beneath said base, said base having an integral dependent peripheral flange and a groove preventing water from running beneaththe base, said flange being cut away over said terminals to divert water laterally thereof.

5. In a thermostat, a molded' insulating base, circuit terminals anchored therein, thermostatic members connected to said terminals, a ventilated shield surrounding said members but spaced apart therefrom and posts connecting said shield and said base and reinforcing the side walls of said shield.

6. In a thermostat, a base, circuit terminals secured thereto, thermostatic members connected to said terminals, a shield surrounding said thermostatic members and a number of posts connecting; said shield to said base and reinforcing the sides of said shield, each post passing through said shield and having one end bent into hook shape to connect itto said shield.

7 In a thermostat, a base, circuit terminals secured thereto, thermostatic members connected to said terminals, a shield surrounding said thermostatic members and a number of posts connecting said shield t0 said base and reinforcing the sides of said shield, each post passing through Said shield and having one end bent into hook shape to connect it to said shield, the other end passing through the base and bent over to se cure it to the base.

8.. In a thermostat, a molded insulating base, having an integral depending eripheral flange, circuit terminals and t ermostatic elements carried by and projecting from beneath the under side of said base within the margin of said flange, said iange receding over said terminals to divert water laterally thereof.

9. In a thermostat, a base, thermostatic 125 elements carried thereby, a shield for said elements, and supporting posts for said ing through the upper flange of said shield shield passing twice through the Walls of and having a hook portion at its lower end lo said shield and reinforcing the Walls of said hooked through said shield.

shield. 5 10. In a thermostat, a base, thermostatic HENRY E' REEVE elements carried thereby, a shield surround- Vtnesses: ing said e1ements,'renforcng and securing DONALD LYoNs, posts connected to said base, each post pass- B. E. AUSTIN.

,Copies o1' this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing 'che Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. C. 

